Harrybilt Engineering has leant on its close to 40 years’ experience to develop turnkey capabilities to deliver high quality hi-rail equipment.
Entering its 40th year in 2025, Harrybilt Engineering remains focused on developing Australian made products designed and built to support the Australian rail sector.
Based out of its modern manufacturing facility in Ballarat and still family owned, the company specialises in the design, development and manufacturing of specialist rail plant.
The original factory, constructed in 2008, was expanded in 2011 to incorporate a large spare parts store. In 2019, the factory floor was doubled to meet growing demands in the rail market and to tackle complex projects.
The company has been honing its skills in delivering Hi Rail, Hi Brid or Rail Guidance Systems to support the rapidly growing rail sector. This development has delivered the company to the point where it has full turnkey capabilities providing Hitachi and Komatsu machines.
Engineering finance and marketing manager Beth Martino said Harrybilt has grown over the past few years and partnerships with the two original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have allowed the company to go from strength to strength.
“That relationship has gone really well, and we have seen a lot of growth since that relationship began.”
Martino said the decision by Harrybilt Engineering to provide more turnkey solutions a few years ago has been revolutionary for the business.
“We are managing the purchase of the machine and installation of the Hi Rail, Hi Brid or Rail Guidance System,” she said.
“This also includes supporting registration for required networks around Australia, so the machine is rail ready when it leaves the workshop.
“The team also handles the purchase and installation of a tiltrotator, along with Harrybilt Engineering’s own wide range of rail maintenance attachments.”
These turnkey capabilities allow Harrybilt Engineering to simplify the language it uses for its machines. The S Series machine has different models based on the tare weight with the rail equipment attached. This is exemplified by the H21 S series machine which is a 21-tonne rail machine with the Hitachi ZX170W as the base excavator.
The K18 S Series is an 18-tonne rail machine using the Komatsu PC138US-11 as the base excavator. These excavators leave the Harrybilt Engineering workshop ‘rail ready’.
Martino said these turnkey capabilities signify a moment when Harrybilt Engineering has arrived as one of the foremost hi-rail manufacturers in Australia.
“Over the years we have developed our fabrication, machining, hydraulics and painting capabilities, along with larger overhead cranes in all workshops and a testing facility that includes a triple gauge test track to conduct compliance testing for network registration,” she said.
“This careful and considered updating of our facilities is what allows us to provide an end-to-end solution for all project needs.”
These enhanced capabilities, coupled with the strong relationships the company has formed with excavator OEMs, is what has set it up for success.
“We also have a close working relationship with top level tiltrotator brands and compliance and design specialists,” Martino said.
Over the past few years, Harrybilt Engineering has expanded with two new factories and an increased labour force. This has had an immediate impact on its output, resulting in improved lead times and building of stock of its popular attachments and machines for short turnaround for customers.
All of this allows Harrybilt Engineering to deliver turnkey excavators for the rail sector that are safe, versatile and efficient, Martino said.
“Our machines can withstand the most severe working conditions while remaining simple to operate across Australia’s diverse rail network,” she said.
Harrybilt Engineering is often challenged by specialist rail problems allowing the team to design and manufacture a customised product to suit an organisation’s needs.
Finding the right machine for the right challenge
One of the challenges faced by Australia’s rail sector is the sheer diversity of gauges and networks. Martino said Harrybilt Engineering understands the challenges the industry faces are complex and the turnkey capabilities it has developed better supports the rail sector.
“We work closely with customers at the beginning, and then throughout the process, to build and provide an end product that suits their individual needs,” she said. “We can do this as we have in-house specialists, including experienced hydraulic technicians and an engineer department. The team also listens to customer feedback, frequently discusses with those in the rail industry and attends rail shows around Australia and internationally to get a true insight into the industry and what it is looking for from its hi-rail equipment.”
Martino said Harrybilt Engineering consists of fully qualified and experienced tradesmen and apprentices.
“We have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help keep our customers on track.”
Martino said the company likes to keep it simple when it comes to sourcing the right machines for a company’s specific needs. Early communication allows the company to establish the requirements.
The basic questions the organisation often asks include:
What tasks the machine needs to do?
On what networks will the machine operate?
What safety system option will be mandatory?
What attachments and trailers will suit the machine and application?
What are the required timeframes?
Harrybilt Engineering’s design caters for the products to suit at least two, if not all three main gauges, meaning they can be adjusted from one gauge to another and back again throughout its life.
Harrybilt Engineering frequently engages Independent Certifying Parties (ICP) who are accredited with the rail networks that its customers hope to operate on.
The ICP reviews design, inspects and tests the machines and where applicable prepares and or submits the application for each of the networks.
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